Brunell, who has earned more than $52 million in 15 NFL seasons, says a string of failed real estate and business investments in connection with a partnership called Champion LLC is to blame for his financial situation.

“In the end, we couldn’t and I am no longer able to shoulder this burden,” Brunell told the Times-Union.

He is facing several lawsuits related to Champion and told the Times-Union he has been shouldering the burden of payments on several loans related to the failed ventures.

“The timing of the group’s real-estate acquisitions at the height of the real-estate market, in hindsight, clearly was not good,” Brunell told the paper.

Brunell played for Washington from 1989-92, passing for 4,008 yards. He was the 1991 Rose Bowl MVP in the Huskies’ national championship year.

The three-time Pro Bowler has played for four teams in the NFL, most recently as the backup to Drew Brees for the Super Bowl champion New Orleans Saints. He is expected to sign with the New York Jets next month.